This specification discloses various improvements in the field of spr sensing systems. One improvement relates to a portable spr sensing system, e.g., a system contained within a suitcase that can be hand-carried to a monitoring site. Another improvement relates to a portable, cartridge-based spr sensing system. In this system, selected portions of the system's electrical and fluidics systems are allocated between a base unit and a removable/disposable cartridge. Other improvements relate to methods or protocols for operating an spr sensing system. Such methods provide for the elimination of false positives and increased sensitivity, e.g., by using secondary antibodies with specificity for different target epitopes and by sensor element redundancy. In addition, protocols are provided for the detection of small molecules. Such protocols may employ a competition type assay where the presence of the analyte inhibits the binding of antibodies to surface immobilized analyte, or a displacement assay, where antibodies bound to the analyte on the sensor surface are displaced by free analyte.
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19. A cartridge-based surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising:
a portable base unit housing;
a disposable cartridge constructed to be removably mated with said housing;
a base unit electrical system contained within said base unit housing;
a cartridge electrical system contained within said cartridge;
a base unit fluidics system contained within said base unit housing; and
a cartridge fluidics system contained within said cartridge;
wherein said base unit and cartridge electrical and fluidics systems are arranged for detecting the presence of predefined agents in a fluid medium using spr.
1. A portable surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising:
a portable housing; and
sensing means for detecting the presence of predefined agents in a fluid medium using spr, wherein at least a portion of said sensing means is contained within said portable housing;
wherein said sensing means comprises an electrical system and a fluidics system;
wherein said electrical system comprises an air pump for pressurizing said fluidics system, and a peristaltic pump; and
wherein said sensing means further comprises a plurality of multi-channel sensor elements and means for configuring said sensor elements in a flowcell to permit the flow of a sample fluid into contact with each of said multi-channel sensor elements.
38. A disposable cartridge constructed to be removably mated with a base unit of a surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising:
a cartridge housing;
a sample injection port coupled to said cartridge housing;
a cartridge electrical system contained within said cartridge housing, including a plurality of spr sensors;
a cartridge fluidics system contained within said cartridge housing;
at least one battery contained within said cartridge housing, said at least one battery providing power for electrical components of said cartridge electrical system; and
heat sinking means for equilibrating the temperature of the spr sensors, and for equilibrating the temperature of a fluid stream within said cartridge fluidics system.
45. A method for performing real-time monitoring of biological and/or chemical agents, comprising the steps of:
preparing a portable surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system for detection of at least one target agent, wherein said at least one target agent is a member of a predetermined group consisting of nerve agents, small organics, toxic proteins, viruses, spores, microbes and environmental pollutants, and said spr sensing system includes a plurality of multi-channel sensor elements;
configuring said sensor elements into a flowcell and coupling said flowcell with said portable spr sensing system;
transporting said portable spr sensing system to a monitoring location;
injecting an analyte into said portable spr sensing system so as to cause said analyte to come into contact with said sensor elements; and
employing said portable spr sensing system to detect said at least one target agent.
4. A portable surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising:
a portable housing; and
sensing means for detecting the presence of predefined agents in a fluid medium using spr, wherein at least a portion of said sensing means is contained within said portable housing;
wherein said sensing means comprises an electrical system and a fluidics system;
wherein said electrical system comprises at least one spr sensor, an air pump for pressurizing said fluidics system, and a peristaltic pump;
wherein said electrical system further comprises a digital signal processor (DSP), a temperature controller, an air pump, and a peristaltic pump;
wherein said fluidics system comprises an injection port; a first valve in fluid communication with the injection port; a pressurized buffer reservoir; a sample loop in fluid communication with the buffer reservoir; a flowcell in fluid communication with said sample loop; a second valve in fluid communication with said flowcell; and a waste reservoir in fluid communication with said second valve; and
wherein said peristaltic pump is situated between said flowcell and said waste reservoir; said air pump is arranged so as to pressurize said buffer; and said spr sensor is coupled to said flowcell so as to place a sample fluid in said flowcell in contact with said spr sensor.
11. A portable surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising: a portable housing and sensing means for detecting the presence of predefined agents in a fluid medium using spr, wherein at least a portion of said sensing means is contained within said portable housing; wherein said sensing means comprises an electrical system and a fluidics system; wherein said electrical system comprises at least one spr sensor, an air pump for pressurizing said fluidics system, and a peristaltic pump; wherein said system further comprises a disposable cartridge constructed to be removably inserted into said housing, said cartridge containing portions of said sensing means; and wherein said sensing means further comprises: a base unit electrical system and a base unit fluidics system contained within said base unit housing; and a cartridge electrical system and a cartridge fluidics system contained within said disposable cartridge; and wherein said disposable cartridge comprises a thermally insulating plastic casing; a sample injection port coupled to said cartridge housing; a plurality of spr sensors contained within said casing; and at least one battery contained within said casing, said at least one battery providing power for electrical components contained in the cartridge and the base unit housing when the cartridge is mated with the base unit.
16. A portable surface plasmon resonance (spr) sensing system, comprising:
a portable housing; and
sensing means for detecting the presence of predefined agents in a fluid medium using spr, wherein at least a portion of said sensing means is contained within said portable housing;
wherein said sensing means comprises an electrical system and a fluidics system;
wherein said electrical system comprises at least one spr sensor, an air pump for pressurizing said fluidics system, and a peristaltic pump;
said electrical system further comprising a plurality of multi-channel spr sensors, an air pump for pressurizing said fluidics system, a peristaltic pump, and a temperature control system;
said fluidics system comprising an injection port; a first zero dead-volume valve in fluid communication with the injection port; a pressurized buffer reservoir; a sample loop in fluid communication with the buffer reservoir; a flowcell in fluid communication with said sample loop; a second zero dead-volume valve in fluid communication with said flowcell; a waste reservoir in fluid communication with said second valve; and a degasser in fluid communication with the sample loop; and
wherein said peristaltic pump is situated between said flowcell and said waste reservoir, and said spr sensors are coupled to said flowcell so as to place a sample fluid in said flowcell in contact with said spr sensors.
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a cartridge housing comprising a thermally insulating plastic casing;
a sample injection port coupled to said cartridge housing;
a plurality of spr sensors contained within said cartridge housing;
at least one battery contained within said cartridge housing, said at least one battery providing power for electrical components contained in the cartridge housing and the base unit housing when the cartridge housing is mated with the base unit housing;
heat sinking means for equilibrating the temperature of the spr sensors, and for equilibrating the temperature of a fluid stream within said cartridge; and
a printed-circuit board that provides a physical frame for the cartridge and electrical connections to said at least one battery and spr sensors.
37. A system as recited in
a silicone molded flowcell that provides a single flow channel covering all spr sensors in series;
a means for preconditioning an injected sample, including performing degassing and temperature equilibration, and for flowing the injected sample over the spr sensor surfaces at a controlled rate;
aluminum front and back plates for aligning said flowcell to the spr sensors and for equilibrating the temperature of liquid flowing in said flowcell;
a check valve in fluid communication with said sample injection port;
a sample loop in fluid communication with a pressurized buffer reservoir;
a waste reservoir for collecting liquid waste;
flow metering means including silicone peristaltic tubing and valves, and means for mating with a peristaltic pump rotor in said base unit housing;
an externally actuated valve that prevents fluid flow while said cartridge is not mated with said base unit;
a hollow-fiber degasser; and
first and second surface-mount pressure sensors mounted at opposite ends of said hollow-fiber degasser.
39. A disposable cartridge as recited in
a flowcell that provides a single flow channel covering said spr sensors; and
a means for degassing an injected sample and for flowing the injected sample over the spr sensor surfaces at a controlled rate.
40. A disposable cartridge as recited in
aluminum front and back plates for aligning said flowcell to the spr sensors and for equilibrating the temperature of liquid flowing in said flowcell;
a check valve in fluid communication with said sample injection port;
a pressurized buffer reservoir;
a sample loop in fluid communication with said pressurized buffer reservoir; and
a waste reservoir for collecting liquid waste.
41. A disposable cartridge as recited in
flow metering means including peristaltic tubing and valves;
an externally actuated valve that prevents fluid flow while said cartridge is not mated with said base unit;
first and second surface-mount pressure sensors operatively coupled to said means for degassing.
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The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/671,731, filed Apr. 15, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The subject matter described herein was funded through a grant by the United States Department of Defense, under DAAD13-03-C-0024 and DAAD13-99-C-0032, “Optimization and Fabrication of a Multichannel SPR System for Detection of Biological and Chemical Agents,” and the United States Government has certain rights therein.
The present invention relates generally to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing systems, and more particularly to improvements in such systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to portable SPR sensing systems, including but not limited to a cartridge-based system, for detecting biological and chemical agents.
There are many environmental applications for biosensors that can provide real-time analyses. For example, one of the most pressing current needs is monitoring for agents of chemical and bioterrorism. These applications require systems that can rapidly detect small organics including nerve agents, toxic proteins, viruses, spores and whole microbes. A second area of application is monitoring for environmental pollutants. Processing of grab samples through chemical laboratories requires significant time delays in the analyses, preventing the rapid mapping and cleanup of chemical spills. The current state of development of miniaturized, integrated SPR sensor elements has allowed for the development of inexpensive, portable biosensor systems capable of the simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes. Most of the detection protocols make use of antibodies immobilized on the sensor surface. For example, the Spreeta 2000 SPR biosensor elements manufactured by Texas Instruments Corporation provide multiple channels for each sensor element in the system. (See, e.g., documents cited in our Information Disclosure Statement and U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,456, Jun. 15, 1997, “Integrally Formed Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor”.)
SPR biosensors are based on the fundamental Kretschmann design where the intensity of transverse magnetic (TM) polarized light reflected off a thin layer of gold (˜50 nm) on the surface of a prism shows a dependence on the angle of incidence or wavelength of the incident light. See, e.g., Kretschmann E, The determination of the Optical Constants of Metals by Excitation of Surface Plasmons, Z Physik 241:313-324 (1971). A plot of the intensity of reflection against the angle of reflection produces an SPR curve or profile. A minimum in the SPR curve is observed when the frequency and momentum of the incident light are matched with that of the surface plasmons, at which point the energy is absorbed by the surface plasmons (and not reflected). The angle or wavelength at which the minimum of reflection occurs is dependent on the refractive index (RI) of the medium in contact with the outside of the gold layer. Attachment of specific recognition elements on the gold surface (usually antibodies) and passivation of the gold surface to non-specific binding provides a condition for monitoring for the presence of specific targets in real-time. Since the refractive index of protein (RI˜1.45) is greater than that of usual aqueous buffers (RI˜1.334), when an analyte of refractive index greater than that of water/buffer and of sufficient size is bound at the surface, the refractive index change is sufficient to result in a change in the position of the minimum of the SPR curve. Instrumentation software can convert the change in SPR minima into refractive index as a function of time, thus allowing the binding event to be analyzed in real time. See, e.g., Davies J. (ed), Surface analytical techniques for probing biomaterial processes, CRC Press, NY (1996).
The first commercial instruments available were both large and expensive and thus not suitable for applications that required portability. Recent advances in miniaturization of SPR technology have made possible the development of portable systems that are adaptable to many different uses. See, Naimushin, et al., Detection of Staphlococcus aureus enterotoxin B in femtomolar amounts by a miniature integrated two-channel SPR sensor, Biosens Bioelectron 17:573-584 (2002); and Naimushin, et al., A portable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor system with temperature regulation, Sens Actuators B 96:253-260 (2003). Such uses include but are not limited to: 1) continuous monitoring of water systems; 2) continuous monitoring of air supply systems, when coupled with a sample collection device that transfers analytes into the aqueous phase; 3) rapid identification of possible agents of chemical or biological warfare; 4) general laboratory analyses of intermolecular interactions, e.g., protein/protein interactions, protein/ligand interactions, and protein/nucleic acid interactions; 4) environmental monitoring; 5) drug discovery; 6) in-office diagnostics; 7) in-emergency-vehicle analyses, e.g., rapid detection of plasma levels of cardiac enzyme levels, and 8) automating protein purification protocols.
This specification discloses various improvements in the field of SPR sensing systems. One improvement relates to a portable SPR sensing system, e.g., a system contained within a suitcase that can be hand-carried to a monitoring site.
Another improvement relates to a portable, cartridge-based SPR sensing system. In this system, selected portions of the system's electrical and fluidics systems are allocated between a base unit and a removable/disposable cartridge.
Other improvements described herein relate to methods or protocols for operating an SPR sensing system. Such methods provide for the elimination of false positives and increased sensitivity, e.g., by using secondary antibodies with specificity for different target epitopes and by sensor element redundancy. In addition, protocols are provided for the detection of small molecules. Such protocols may employ a competition type assay where the presence of the analyte inhibits the binding of antibodies to surface immobilized analyte, or a displacement assay, where antibodies bound to the analyte on the sensor surface are displaced by free analyte.
Other aspects of the present invention are described below.
In the following sections we first provide a brief overview of basic technology underlying SPR sensing systems in accordance with the present invention, and in the two sections following the overview we describe illustrative embodiments containing various inventive features. The illustrative embodiments include a cartridge-based SPR sensing system and a portable SPR sensing system.
A. Overview
An illustrative Spreeta sensor is shown schematically in
Refractive index values may then be obtained from the Spreeta sensor data. Since each photodiode in the array corresponds to a unique angle of incidence for the light that travels from the LED along a path that reflects the light from the surface plasmon layer, light levels shift in accordance with refractive index change of the sample region as a function of angle. The manner in which light levels shift as a function of angle with refractive index is illustrated
For a given sample refractive index value, a subset of angles will register distinctly lowered power values generating dips in the SPR curve. This is because at or near the resonance angle most of the light energy is actually coupling into the surface plasmon wave at the sensor surface and thus never reaches the photodiode. One way of resolving the information in an SPR curve would be to simply choose the pixel value registering the lowest light level. Another way would be to choose a subset of pixels neighboring the pixel with lowest light levels and find a weighted average of those values below a baseline. It should be noted that the specific index of refraction value is not usually of primary interest because the Spreeta sensor is typically used as a differential sensor. Simply resolving the shift in index of refraction is enough to provide information about binding events.
Since the index of refraction for solutions of interest are temperature dependent, it is beneficial to ensure that thermal fluctuations do not occur since they could be confused with a binding event. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a control goal is to stabilize the temperature of the sensor and sample to within a tenth of a degree for the duration of assay, or about three hundred seconds.
As explained in greater detail below, the Spreeta sensor may be utilized in a portable instrument, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Functionally, each sensor has three regions of sensitivity on its surface, and each of these can be functionalized with a unique antibody. By placing eight sensors in the instrument, a total of twenty-four (24) agents can be monitored during a single assay. The present invention is of course not limited to this particular configuration, and could be embodied in a system have more or fewer than twenty-four channels.
We will now describe two presently preferred embodiments employing various inventive features. The first embodiment is a portable, cartridge-based SPR sensing system, and the second embodiment is a portable SPR sensing system.
B. Cartridge-Based SPR Sensing System
1. Introduction
An illustrative embodiment of a portable, cartridge-based SPR sensing system 1 is depicted in
As shown in
As shown in
The manner in which these elements may be constructed and arranged to provide a cartridge-based SPR sensing system in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail
2. Hardware
As mentioned above, in the exemplary embodiment (to which the present invention is by no means limited), each cartridge 50 contains the following components:
The sensor fluidics serve to (1) enable the user to inject a sample contained in a syringe into the cartridge; (2) perform simple preconditioning on the sample (concentration and/or degassing and temperature equilibration) and (3) flow the injected sample over the SPR sensor surfaces at a controlled rate. A schematic of the fluidic system is shown in
Together, these items (1-5) form a flow injection system, as shown in
As discussed above, the flow system's peristaltic pump is composed of components in both the cartridge 50 and the base unit 10′. The pump tubing carrying the liquid sample is fully contained within in the cartridge, while the rotor which presses on the tubing and meters flow is contained in the base. When the cartridge is mated to the base unit (
In addition to items 1-5 enumerated above, the illustrative embodiment of the cartridge-based system includes the following:
The cartridge may be built so that sensors, batteries, buffer, etc., can be replaced easily, or preferably the cartridge will be designed such that the entire cartridge is a self-contained, maintenance-free disposable unit containing reagents and battery power sufficient for performing a large number of sensing cycles (target of 30+).
The cartridge 50 mates with the base unit 10′, which contains components of the sensor system intended to be reused. These include the following:
3. Software
Low-level instrument functions may be performed by the instrument's embedded DSP, programmed in “C” using Texas Instruments° Code Composer Studio. The DSP has processing power sufficient to perform high level functions (data analysis, user interface control); however, these need not be implemented in the DSP but rather low level data may be sent to a PC over an RS-232 serial port for further analysis. Low level software functions include the following:
3. Techniques for Production and Application of Silicone Molded Flowcells
Liquid surface functionalization of separate channels of an SPR biosensor with multiple channels spaced as small as 200 microns apart can be accomplished through precise registry of the separate channels. Silicone is a good candidate for this because it can create a liquid seal with very little surface contact and can be molded with a precisely machined mold. When using a silicone molded flowcell, however, the contact pressure with the surface should be tightly regulated to avoid over or under compression and subsequent loss of flow. Both lateral registry and precise compression can be accomplished using a three-part system comprising molded silicone, a rigid plate holding the sensor, and a cover plate.
The Mold
Design and construction: Precise registry and separation of the flow channels of the PDMS mold may require precision machining.
Casting with tapered nylon line: Tapered nylon line can be purchased in many different sizes and is an ideal candidate for creating flow channels in molded silicone. The tapered line may be inserted into a hole drilled in the mold, and then pulled through until it is tight, thus creating a tight seal that no liquid silicone can leak into. This method is best for straight channels.
Silicone cast of mold: Liquid silicone may then be poured into the mold, and a cover placed over the top. After the silicone cures, the nylon line can be pulled out, and the silicone cast can be easily removed from the mold.
Casting silicone tubes into the PDMS mold: Routing flow channels through a complex flow system can be challenging. Casting silicone tubes into the silicone mold allows for the creation of more complex flow arrangements. Tapered nylon line can be threaded through the silicone tubes, and a connection to the flow cell chamber can be made as described above.
Front and Back Plate
Registry of lateral and height dimensions using the cover plate: Registry of both lateral and height (compression) dimensions can be accomplished using a rectangular post machined in the cover plate on either side of the sensor. The height of the post determines the amount of compression of the silicone layer, while the location of the posts on either side of the sensor aligns the sensor with the PDMS flow cell. See
SPR Data
C. Portable SPR Sensing System
1. Introduction
The portable (non-cartridge-based) instrument may likewise be used to detect the presence of biological and chemical agents in a fluid. This embodiment is designed for laboratory use and the current, exemplary model utilizes two 3-channel sensors in a positive pressure semi-automated sample injection system. As shown in
2. Electrical System
The major electrical sub-components of the exemplary system include the following, although it should be noted that the invention is by no means limited to these specific components, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art of designing SPR instrumentation::
2.1 Design and Function
1)The TI DSPs are only altered to replace the conductors used for power. The DSPs interface with the sensors and provide serial output to a PC.
2)The HTC-3000 is mounted to the back of the panel and thermal paste is used to promote heat dissipation. A custom designed board interfaces with the controller and allows use of connectors. The temperature is set using a ten-turn potentiometer and monitored using a miniature voltmeter with LCD display.
3)The system flow rate is controlled using a miniature peristaltic pump placed downstream of the flow cell. The pump speed is varied using a ten-turn potentiometer.
4)Air pressure from a Gast air pump is used to drive fluids through the system at approximately 10 psig. The positive pressure is applied at the buffer reservoir and is not specifically controlled.
5)The system flow is directed using three Lee 3-way valves. Relays in line with “flush” and “inject” switches turn off the peristaltic pump during the specified functions.
6)Power is 12 VDC, supplied by an external or internal power supply.
These items are represented in
2.2 Instrumentation Layout Changes From prior designs.
1)The system has been designed to reduce the exposure of electronic equipment to liquids used in SPR analysis.
2)A voltmeter has been integrated into the panel to eliminate the need for and external voltage measurement source.
3)Valves have been contained under the panel to reduce the complexity and opportunity for plumbing damage.
4)Flush and injection switches were added to the panel (functionality discussed below).
5)Power is now an external 12V source to reduce electrocution hazard.
6)A bi-color LED indicates heating or cooling of the sensor housing by the temperature controller and single color LEDs indicate activation of the adjacent switch.
3) System Fluidics
The system incorporates three 3-way valves with “zero” dead-volume, manufactured by the Lee Company. It is important that these valves be zero dead-volume to prevent the fluids trapped in unused legs from diffusing slowly into the current flow and affecting the SPR baseline. The sensitivity of SPR sensors to very small RI changes requires this zero dead volume fluidics. As indicated in the
Normal flow mode is depicted in
Injection mode is depicted in
Flush mode is depicted in
Auto sampler mode is depicted in
Important system characteristics include the following:
4) Sensor Housing
Temperature equilibration. In order for the sensors to work effectively, the sensor modules should be controlled to a precise temperature. Liquid introduced to the sensor should also be matched to the sensor temperature. The sensor housing assembly was designed to accomplish both of these objectives by encasing the sensors and the liquid input tubes in an insulated, temperature controlled aluminum housing. This design also makes the sensors modules replaceable with a minimum of effort.
D. Illustrative Protocols
We will now briefly discuss several protocols that may be used for detecting different types of target compounds or biological agents, etc. These include small organics, protein toxins, low concentration analytes, viruses, and the like. The present invention is by no means limited to these specific protocols or procedures.
Detection of Small Organics
The specific detection of small organic molecules depends on the acquisition of a recognition element specific for the target analyte, which is usually an antibody, however, it can be any molecule or structure capable of high-affinity, specific binding of the analyte. Antibodies have been used for the examples described below.
We have adapted two different approaches for the SPR detection/quantitation of small molecular weight analytes, a displacement assay (2-formats) and a competition assay.
For the displacement assay, two different implementations have been used. In the first, the sensor surface is derivatized with anti-target antibodies. The antibodies on the sensor surface are then “loaded” with a large reporter group (e.g., protein) to which target molecules have been covalently attached. Free analyte then displaces the bound target-conjugated reporter group at a rate that is proportional to the concentration of analyte. The second implementation involves attachment of the target to the sensor surface either as a target-protein conjugate or directly linked to the GBP foundation layer. Antibodies are then bound to the immobilized target molecules. Free target displaces the bound antibodies at rates proportional to the concentration of analyte. Antibodies with moderate affinities for analyte work best for this approach. It is possible to design fluidics where there is little consumption of antibodies using this approach. We have used this approach for the detection of dinitrophenol (DNP)-lysine and domoic acid, the amnesic shell fish poison in the low micromolar range of concentrations.
For the competition assay, an initial rate of antibody binding to immobilized target is established, then analyte is introduced directly into the antibody feed stream or preincubated with antibodies prior to flow through the SPR detection system. This approach has the advantage of a high level of sensitivity, especially if used with very high affinity antibodies. It has a disadvantage of consuming some antibody reagent. The range of sensitivity can be set by varying the concentration of the antibody feed stream. For the highest level of sensitivity, it requires the setting of the antibody concentration in the feed stream to a level that provides a low but detectable rate of antibody binding to the target immobilized on the sensor surface. We have used this protocol for the detection of cortisol, domoic acid and analyte conjugated to proteins used to generate the specific antibodies.
Detection of Protein Toxins
Protein toxins are of sufficient size to detect directly by SPR. A binding event generates a binding curve with an initial rate of binding that is proportional to the concentration of analyte. For Staphylococcus enterotoxin B binding to the portable Spreeta-based system, the current lower limit of detection (LOD) is approximately 100 pM. Using this protocol, we have detected the A chain of ricin and botulinum toxoid A (denatured botulinum toxin A). We have also used this same general protocol to test the suitability of the Spreeta based system for deployment in unattended air vehicles (UAVs) using the non-toxic proteins ovalbumin and horse radish peroxidase (Naimushin, Spinelli, Soelberg, Mann, Chinowsky, Kauffinan, Yee, Furlong, Airborne analyte detection with an aircraft-adapted surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor system. Sens Actuators, Vol. 104 pp. 237-248, 2005).
Detection of Low Concentration Analytes and Verification of Analyte Detection
It is important to avoid false positives when monitoring for toxic agents. The same approach that is used to detect low levels of analytes can be used to both amplify detection signals and verify that a specific analyte was detected to a high level of certainty. Once a putative detect signal has been observed, a second antibody with specificity for a different target epitope than was used to capture the analyte is flowed through the sensor system. Specific binding of this second antibody both verifies that the target analyte was bound and at the same time amplifies the original signal. It is also possible to design protocols with multiple steps of amplification when the concentration of analyte is very low. For example if a mouse monoclonal antibody is used on the sensor surface as the target capture antibody, rabbit polyclonal antibodies to the same target can be used to provide a significant amplification to the first signal. If this signal is still small, goat anti-rabbit antibodies can provide a second step of amplification. A third stage of amplification can be achieved with donkey anti-goat antibodies if necessary and so on. Having a dedicated reference channel with an antibody with a non-target specificity is very important to detect any non-specific binding that might occur. Using this approach, as noted above, we have been able to detect SEB at a level of 100 pM.
Detection of Viruses, Microbes and Spores.
The same protocols that are used for protein detection may be used to detect larger target analytes such as viruses , microbes and spores. Again, to avoid false positives, or to speciate the bound target, secondary antibodies with specificity for different target epitopes are used. For example, a general antibody for Salmonella strains could be used as the capture antibody on the sensor surface and when a signal is detected, antibodies specific for different strains can be used to identify the specific serological strain of organisms bound on the sensor surface. The speciation step will also provide amplification of the original signal.
E. Conclusion
The true scope the present invention is not limited to the presently preferred or illustrative embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the foregoing disclosure of embodiments of cartridge-based and portable SPR sensing systems includes explanatory terms, such as portable, cartridge-based, and the like, which should not be construed so as to limit the scope of protection of the following claims, or to otherwise imply that the inventive aspects of the system are limited to the particular methods and apparatus disclosed. Moreover, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, many of the inventive aspects disclosed herein may be applied in location systems that are not based on SPR techniques. For example, the processes by which the systems described herein detect the presence of malicious or dangerous target chemical and/or biological agents can be applied to detect other types of compounds, i.e., other than those discussed herein. Similarly, the invention is not limited to systems employing flowcells constructed as described above, nor to systems employing electronic or fluidic subsystems meeting all of the particulars described above. The various elements and subsystems are, in some cases, programmable data collection and processing devices that could take a variety of forms without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Given the rapidly declining cost of digital signal processing and other processing functions, it is easily possible, for example, to transfer the processing for a particular function from one of the functional elements described herein to another functional element without changing the inventive operation of the system. In many cases, the place of implementation (i.e., the functional element) described herein is merely a designer's preference and not a hard requirement. Accordingly, except as they may be expressly so limited, the scope of protection of the following claims is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described above.
Chinowsky, Timothy M., Soelberg, Scott D., Kauffman, Peter C., Furlong, Clement E., Tritz, Jared, Grow, Michael S., Naimushin, Alexei N., Yee, Sinclair S.
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